Canceled Sci-Fi Show Surges Into Netflix’s Top 10 Rankings

The Lazarus Project has made a surprising comeback on Netflix’s streaming charts, despite being canceled last year. The British sci-fi thriller, starring Paapa Essiedu, recently climbed to number six on the platform’s Top 10 list, showing that viewers are still very much interested in its time-bending story.

The show originally aired in the UK in 2022, where it gained attention for its mix of action, suspense, and science fiction. Created by Joe Barton, The Lazarus Project follows George, played by Essiedu, who has a rare ability to remember events from previous timelines.

He is recruited by a secret organization known as the Lazarus Project, whose mission is to prevent global disasters by resetting time when catastrophe strikes.

The cast also includes Anjli Mohindra as Archie, Rudi Dharmalingam as Shiv, Charly Clive as Sarah, Caroline Quentin as team leader Wes, and Tom Burke as Rebrov, a rogue former Lazarus agent who begins to question humanity’s fate. The series also featured Vinette Robinson, Brian Gleeson, and Alec Utgoff in key roles.

The Lazarus Project ran for two seasons. It premiered in June 2022 and was quickly renewed for season two, which debuted in November 2023. However, in March 2024, the show was officially canceled. The news came as a disappointment to fans, especially since the second season ended with unanswered questions.

Critics widely praised the series. On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds a rare 100% approval rating based on reviews.

The series even picked up awards recognition. It won Best Special Effects at the 2022 Royal Television Society Craft & Design Awards and earned Paapa Essiedu a nomination for Best Leading Actor at the 2024 British Academy Television Awards.

Now, year after its cancellation, the show is finding a second life on Netflix. Viewers around the world are discovering, or rediscovering, the intense, time-loop-driven thriller. This streaming success has sparked speculation among fans about whether the renewed interest could encourage Netflix or another platform to revive the series.

However, there’s no sign yet that The Lazarus Project will return. For now, it stands as a two-season story that blends fast-paced action with mind-bending science fiction. Still, its sudden rise on Netflix’s charts proves that strong storytelling can continue to draw in audiences long after a show’s fate has been sealed.

For fans, the show’s Top 10 appearance is both exciting and bittersweet. It’s a reminder of what made The Lazarus Project so compelling, and a sign that even canceled series can find new life in the streaming era.

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